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Children Orthodontics

Braces at KCDH

A good set of teeth are an asset. Your child’s teeth leaves you a smile that affects your social appeal from childhood to their adult life. Unfortunately, not everyone is born with a perfect set of straight teeth. Some have teeth which are naturally crooked, misaligned, or unevenly spaced. Such teeth can tarnish your child’s smile, and negatively affect their social impact. However, there is an alternative, at Kaufman Children’s Dental Hospital (KCDH), we will work our hardest to straighten your child’s teeth with braces or Invisalign braces (aligners). Dental procedures here at KCDH are reasonably priced and our locations are in Brooklyn.

When and Why are Braces Required?

Braces have been shown to be an effective way to straighten teeth as well as help correct minor underbites, overbites, crossbites, and close gaps between your teeth. Also, headgear may be prescribed for young kids with serious cases of abnormal bites, which modifies the growth pattern of the face and jaws with no pain. We offer all types of braces, including lingual, and Invisalign. We offer financing, discounts for multiple child families, and strive to make treatment affordable for your whole family. Call for a COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION.

How Clear Braces Work?

Clear braces are created from a translucent ceramic. The integral part of them is the “arch wire” which runs along the teeth in a jaw. The arch wire is a wire made of strong steel, it exerts pressure on individual teeth in the dentist’s desired direction by the brackets on the individual teeth. Brackets are affixed with by being directly bonded, or orthodontic bands. Spacers are used to create space between the teeth for orthodontic bands. And if a patient isn’t pleased with the appearance of metallic stainless-steel wire, frosted or colored wires are available.

Invisalign Clear Braces – an option for patients who don’t want to wear braces on their teeth, Invisalign is offered. They are removable clear plastic aligners that come in sets for both upper jaw and lower jaws. They are designed to to exert force on your teeth when they are worn. After every two weeks new sets of aligners are given to the patient until straight alignment has been achieved. And to prevent the teeth from shifting from shifting back to their original position the last set of aligners are kept as retainers. Read more about Invisalign for Adults and Invisalign for Teens.

Ceramic Invisible Braces – Ceramic braces consist of tooth-colored brackets, tooth-colored bands, and an arch wire. Natural teeth colored brackets may be available. For adolescent and teenage patients colored bands are also available. The archwire can coated with a tooth-colored material to not be as visible than metal wires.

Advantages – Not visible.

Disadvantages – When it comes to aligning teeth ceramic braces aren’t seen as the most effective in tooth alignment and movement.

They can also be expensive unlike standard metal braces

They are easily stained if oral hygiene is poor

Lingual Braces many patients don’t want others to be able to see their braces. The lingual braces are attached to the lingual surfaces, or inner surfaces of your teeth so they aren’t as visible which makes them a great option. Traditional and clear braces are similar in design because they have slots through which the archwire passes. To ensure the archwire does its job properly it must frequently be adjusted so teeth can properly align.

Advantages – Not clearly visible

Disadvantages – Can be difficult to clean due to lingual position. The archwire and brackets can interfere with movement of the tongue and chewing and speech may be difficult. Adjustments take longer to take effect as such they can potentially injure your tongue and other soft tissues.

Aligners for the Adolescent Patients

Children and pediatric patients were not given aligners initially as the shells would not allow for the eruption of new teeth in the permanent dentition, eg, the wisdom teeth. However, because of a demand for kids to have them, a new design was created with breakable tabs where teeth are expected to erupt in the course of wearing the aligners.

Advantages of Invisalign – Are removable so eating and keeping your dental health in check are not a problem. Also they are not easily visible.

Disadvantages of Invisalign – Not as quick as metal braces and the aligners can’t be used for complex orthodontic problems such as deep bites, cross bites, and overbites. Another disadvantage may be their cost which is seen as the highest of orthodontic device.

Traditional Metal Braces – Among the first dental devices were metal braces which are made from high quality stainless steel alloy, and are attached to the teeth with adhesive cements. The archwire, which is attached to the brackets with the help of rubber elastics or “ties” is able to pass by specified slots.

Advantages – they allow dentists to have excellent control over your teeth to achieve straight alignment. Also metal braces are also seen as the answer to extreme orthodontic cases which would otherwise be difficult to achieve without them.

Disadvantages – They have a great chance of soft tissue injury in case of collision or trauma. As well as metal braces are visible and unaesthetic.

As the teeth align the tension in the arch wire reduces. Therefore, the tension needs to frequently be adjusted to help straighten your teeth. It would be best to visit us regularly.

Orthodontic Retainers

Dentists strongly advise using retainers for at least six months especially in the case of youngsters. Retainers are clear, invisible plastic shells worn over the teeth. By wearing the retainer your teeth won’t revert to their original position when the pressure is removed.

Limitations of Braces

Limitations of braces are length of time you need to wear them and also the number of visits the patient has to make. However our offices are very accessible and closest to the 55 freeway.

Caring for your Braces

While you are undergo treatment with orthodontic treatment you need to keep the following in mind:

Looking after your Oral Hygiene – as food particles can stick to braces, which can lead to cavities and gum problems if oral hygiene is ignored. Interdental toothbrushes are recommended by dentists. The fine bristles of the brushes can get to the tough to reach areas around them, making it easier to remove plaque and calculus deposits.

Using a Mouthguard – for the young people who wear braces such as teenagers and youngsters who are involved in physical contact sports, the use of a mouthguard is important. Excessive injury of oral soft tissue in case of trauma and impact can be prevented by mouthguards.

Keep Follow-up Appointments – Failing to keep your regular checkup appointments can result in a delay in treatment.

Looking for an affordable orthodontic treatment plan for your kids? At KCDH, our orthodontists will help you will get the high quality pediatric orthodontic services at affordable rates. Visit us today and let us take care of your child’s oral health. We have two locations in Brooklyn, NY. We are on Ocean Avenue, right off the corner of Kings Highway, across the street from the Brooklyn Public Library. Our 2nd location is on Myrtle Avenue, and corner of Emerson Place, across the street from Pratt Institute Brooklyn Campus.